The world of Mickey of Ulladulla

The world of Mickey of Ulladulla

Students learn about identity and diversity in both a local and broader context. Moving from the heritage of their local area, students explore the historical features and diversity of their community as represented in symbols and emblems of significance, and celebrations and commemorations, both locally and in other places around the world.

Key inquiry question #1:

What is the nature of the contribution made by different groups and individuals in the community?

Activity notes for teachers

This is a drawing by an Aboriginal man known as Mickey of Ulladulla. Mickey was born on the south coast of New South Wales nearly 200 years ago. He was a member of the Dhurga people. People who knew Mickey described him as being disabled; he probably needed to use sticks or crutches to help him walk. The first European settlers came to the area around 1828 when Mickey was a young boy. When Europeans came to live in this area they changed the way Aboriginal people lived. Mickey drew this picture in about 1880 when he was around 60 years old. Mickey’s drawing shows how Aboriginal life changed during his lifetime. Aboriginal people are shown wearing European-style clothes and hats. They are fishing from European-style boats, cooking in European pots and making items for Europeans to purchase. This picture is Mickey’s way of telling the story of how Aboriginal life changed after European settlement.

Mickey of Ulladulla

Location list

Mickey

The man holding the broom for sale is probably Mickey. He was disabled and needed sticks (held in one hand in this picture) to help him walk.

Kangaroo

There are about seven kangaroos. The three smaller ones amongst the trees in the upper left of the drawing are thought to be wallabies.

Wallaby

Smaller than kangaroos (among trees on the left)

Lyre bird

(Right) has a large coloured tail.

Echidna

Two (top centre and right) with spiky backs.

Koala

Has big ears and is in the tree on the left.

Goanna

One is middle right and the other is climbing a tree (middle, top)

Possum

Has a curly tail and is in the tree on the right.

Snake

On the ground below two kangaroos (top left)

Horse

Middle left and wearing a saddle and bridle - does it belong to the Europeans?

Dog

In the centre of the drawing below the house.

Men fishing

You can see the fishing lines and hooks hanging from the boat. The man on the right is hooking the shark into the boat and the man on the left is beating it with a stick.

Different types of fish

Mickey has drawn different kinds of fish in the water. It's difficult to tell how many different types, but Mickey shows that they are a variety of fish. This indicates that he must have had good knowledge of the range of fish in the area.

Sharks

Two sharks are visible, one in the water and the other is being drawn up into the boat.

Objects introduced by the Europeans

The house and the boat. You can tell the boat is not a native canoe because it has a rudder on one end. The boat was given to the Aboriginal people by the Aboriginal Protection Board. There are also pots, brooms, a saddle on the horse etc.

Information for teachers:

Note: This activity is more challenging. It requires students to use higher order thinking to cross-reference information in Source B with objects they have identified in Source A.